Tara Thornton, True Blood

Tara Thornton (Rutina Wesley)

In dark fantasy horror series True Blood, Tara Thompson was the best friend from childhood of series protagonist Sookie. Tara grew up in a very abusive home with an alcoholic mother, and consequently found it difficult to fit in with normal society or to trust people. In the second season, she was under the influence of the maenad Maryann, who manipulated her into an intense relationship with a man named Eggs (Benedict). Eggs was shot dead and Tara was devastated. Having lost the only man she ever loved, Tara attempted suicide in the third season by taking pills though the attempt was thwarted by her cousin Lafayette.

Tara was later abducted by a delusional vampire who believed she loves him. He glamoured her and held her captive for many days and attempted to turn her into a vampire. She eventually escaped and killed him, though Tara ended up traumatized by her experience and cut off her hair and left Bon Temps.

Season 4

In Season 4, it was revealed that Tara had moved to New Orleans and was working as a cage fighter, and was in a relationship with another female fighter, Naomi. Leaving Naomi to return to Bon Temps, Tara was later shot in the head in the season finale while Sookie cradled her and screamed for help. At Sookie and Lafayette’s behest, Pam turned Tara into a vampire instead of letting her die, though because half of her brain was missing before Pam turned her, Tara awoke a vampire with a severe personality change.

Seasons 5-7

Tara and Pam became very close over the course of Season 5 and Tara began to care deeply for her new maker. At the end of the season, Tara rescued Pam from the Vampire Authority and the two shared a long, heartfelt kiss. The two continued to behave as a couple at the start of season 6 and it became evident that Pam truly does care for Tara, in her own way, though they were held in captivity by anti-Vampire forces for much of the season and had limited interaction on-screen. Tara was killed in the first episode of Season 7 by one of the wild Hep V vamps, while fighting to save her mother.

“At the end Season 5, Tara and Pam shared a passionate kiss. Fans rejoiced and couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen for the pair on Season 6. After last night’s [S6] finale, I can tell you the answer: Nothing.” – Trish Bendix, AfterEllen.com

Appearances:

• 80 episodes.

Female love interests:

• Pam 💀 (Kristin Bauer van Straten, main cast 67 episodes)
• Naomi (Vedette Lim, guest 5 episodes)

Relationship story arc with a woman: No

Male love interests:

• Eggs (Mehcad Brooks, recurring S1, main S2)
• Jason (Ryan Kwanten, main cast, S1-7)

Relationship story arc with a man: Yes

Filter Relationship Arc:

• Male (Regular)

[1] A relationship story arc is defined as explicit, developed on screen, and lasting more than 3 episodes. It is listed as questionable or subtext if romance is only implied, mentioned instead of shown on screen, part of a dream sequence, or otherwise not explicit for the viewer.